Description
A creamy and delicious baked feta pasta dish combined with chickpeas and cherry tomatoes, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 1 block (8 ounces) feta cheese
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Toss everything together until well coated.
- Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the baking dish, surrounded by the chickpeas and tomatoes. Drizzle a little more olive oil over the feta.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are bursting and the feta is golden and soft.
- While the feta and vegetables are baking, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Once the feta and vegetables are done, remove the dish from the oven. Using a fork, mash the feta and mix it with the tomatoes and chickpeas to create a creamy sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian protein boost, add spinach or kale to the baking dish before baking.
- Swap out chickpeas for white beans or lentils for a different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg